The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-06
THE PACIFIC RAILROAD INQUIRY.
Mr.. Blair Concludes His Testimony-But One
Other Witness To Be Examined.

New YORK Oct 5-The examination of
John l. Blair was continued before Mr. Ander-
son, of the Pacific Railroad commission, this
morning, with reference to the cost of construc-
ton of the Sioux City & Pacific railroad Mr.
Blair said the six and one-half miles Of road to
connect the Sioux City with the Cedar Rapids
between Missouri Valley and California juno
tion was purchased by the issuance of $4,000
of preferred stock of the Sioux City & Pacific.
The witness did not remember whether he
turned over the book in which he kept the
counts, showing the actual cost of construction,
to the company or not, but did not think he was
called upon to do SO, and perhaps did not. If
that was SO, the book is probably in the vault
of the old store where he kept
his Office. The land of the railroad
company in Nebraska was sold to the Sious City
& Pacific Land and Town Lot Company of
which Mr. Blair thought he was president. The
stockholders in this company were the as
those of the railroad company. They paid cash
for the lands-$200, coo. AS to this transaction,
so far it related to 49, 900 acres of land grant
ed by the State Of Nebraska, the State brought
suit to set it aside. but the company won their
There was great deal OF railroad legis-
lation both in the Nebraska and Iowa legs-
latures. Before the roads were built every body
wanted them. but after they got them
to nothing. He said that there was always
a certain class of legislators who were upright
and honest. and another that always desire and
expect to be paid for doing their duty. He
however, never paid cent for legislation,
knew of any being paid for legislation regarding
any road with which he was connected He
claimed to have been very popular with the peo-
pie of Iowa and Nebraska at the time aud got
all the legislation he wanted because of his pop
ularity. He did not even have to hire a lawyer.
Com missioner Littler, who had arrived during
the investigation. asked Mr.. Blair If bis state
pent concerning the venality of legislators was
made from experience with the legislators of
Iowa and Nebraska, and he replied that it
experience had in his own State-New Jersey.
AS to the sale of the telegraph of the Sioux City
& Pacific railroad to the Western Union, Mr..
Union would not take their business from the
line at equitable rates The Northwestern road
paid from ten fifteen cents the dollar for
controlling interest in the stock of the Sioux
City q Pacific. The stock is not
worth than that now, except
for purposes of control A million of dollars is
enough, and liberal sum to pay the govern
ment for the release of its claim. and the wit
ness as a director of the Northwestern would
sixteen companies in connection with the
struction of the Sioux City d Pacific railroad,
and Mr. Blair said that he was president of all
of them at one time AS regards the wisdom OF
building the Union Pacific branches. Mr.. Blair
said some of them were useless, but others were
a good investment. that they have acquired
good territory by them. No spur road should
be built bv through line Simply as matter of
speculation. This concluded Mr. Blair's testi-
mony. There is but other witness to be ex-
smined by the commission, but he is at present
ont of the city,